North elevation of the South Wing.

The South Wing Project involves the renovation of the monastery’s inadequate central services building, constructed in the 1930s. Earthquake damage to the building will also be repaired.

The project has reached the planning approval stage. Conservation work in the library has been suspended and plans are being formulated for the safe packing and transfer of the contents of the library in anticipation of the start of construction work.

The building work will be divided into two phases. Phase One of the project deals with the west side of the building and includes construction of a conservation workshop, digitisation studio and library for modern books.

Perspective view of the refurbished Library.

The reconfiguration and expansion of the existing Library, situated on the east side of the building, constitutes Phase Two.

The Concept Design was developed by Porphyrios Associates, London. Dr Demetri Porphyrios, principal of the firm, is an internationally recognised architect and theorist and the recipient of many awards and honorary degrees for excellence in architectural and urban design.

ACE, Arab Consulting Engineers, provided the designs for the electrical and mechanical systems at a cost well below the market rate. The company is one of Egypt’s most respected engineering firms.